Complete Holiness

November 17, 2023 By Rick Rice

In 2 Corinthians 7:1, Paul calls us to “work toward complete holiness.” What does that mean, and how do we do it? Scripture: 2 Corinthians, chapters 7-10 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NLT): Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. Observations: “Complete Holiness” The concept of holiness causes a great deal of confusion and disagreement within the Church.... Read more

Reconciled to God

November 16, 2023 By Rick Rice

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God created us to be in relationship with him. Sin broke that relationship, but through Christ we can be reconciled to God! Scripture: 2 Corinthians, chapters 3-6 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (NLT): And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave... Read more

God Comforts Us to Comfort Others

November 15, 2023 By Rick Rice

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God’s promise to his children is not that they will be comfortable, but that he will comfort them. And God comforts us to comfort others! Scripture: Job, chapters 41-42; 2 Corinthians, chapters 1-2 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NLT): All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able... Read more

Resurrection – Our Hope

November 14, 2023 By Rick Rice

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God has given us a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). That hope is for this life, and for the life to come! Scripture: Psalm 149; 1 Corinthians, chapters 15-16 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 (NLT): But tell me this – since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ... Read more

The Work of the Spirit

November 7, 2023 By Rick Rice

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In Galatians 5, Paul gives us a contrast between the impact of the sinful nature and the work of the Spirit. The Spirit brings life! Scripture: Job, chapters 31-32; Galatians, chapters 5-6 Galatians 5:13-26 (NLT): For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command:... Read more

Sermons or Campaign Rallies?

November 6, 2023 By Rick Rice

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While I believe churches should be allowed to discuss political issues, we should never have to wonder whether we’re listening to sermons or campaign rallies! Faith and Politics This is the third of three articles on subjects relating to faith and politics. The first article (“Should Politicians Be Guided by Their Faith?”) dealt with the importance of personal faith to those in the political realm. Should they be guided by their faith? I believe they should. I’d much rather have... Read more

Separation of Church and State?

November 5, 2023 By Rick Rice

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The phrase “separation of church and state” is common in our culture. But what exactly does it mean? And do we have separation of church and state the way our founding fathers envisioned it? In my previous post (“Should Politicians Be Guided By Their Faith?”), I talked about the impact that a political leader’s religious faith should have on their actions. That impact should be no different than the impact of faith on the actions of any citizen. If we... Read more

Should Politicians Be Guided by Their Faith?

November 5, 2023 By Rick Rice

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Politicians talk about faith more today than probably ever before. But should politicians be guided by their faith? Election Day Is Coming! Tuesday November 7 is Election Day across the United States. In some places, like Michigan (where I live), the only elections on the ballot are local. We have some ballot initiatives and some local offices to fill. These types of elections don’t normally “move the needle” in terms of public interest. But as soon as these elections are... Read more

“Everything He Does Is Wonderful”

October 31, 2023 By Rick Rice

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When Jesus healed a man who was deaf, the people said, “Everything he does is wonderful!” It’s easy to say that when God does what we want – but what about the rest of the time? Scripture: Job, chapter 22; Mark, chapters 7-8 Mark 7:31-37 (NLT): Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns. A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him,... Read more

“Go Away and Leave Us Alone”

October 30, 2023 By Rick Rice

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At times, believers seem to expect God to do something miraculous to “prove” himself to others. Unfortunately, people who aren’t looking for God will often reply, “Go away and leave us alone.” Scripture: Job, chapter 21; Mark, chapters 5-6 Mark 5:1-20 (NLT): Jesus and a demon-possessed man So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from... Read more